This week’s ice storm has been a cold and dark nightmare for residents of New Brunswick, Canada.
More than 61,000 households are still without power.
The ice storm that swept through the province began on Tuesday, with some of the heaviest freezing rain and ice hitting New Brunswick’s Acadian Peninsula Wednesday night.
On New Brunswick’s frozen streets, broken branches dangle from powerlines, ice-heavy trees have fallen and split, and in some cases, the weight of the accumulated ice has been enough to snap wooden hydro poles. In affected areas, falling tree limbs and ice has created a steady percussive cacophony.
At the peak of the storm, more than 133,000 households were without power in the province. Crews have been toiling non-stop to get people back on the grid, but the work is so complex that NB Power says that they can’t guarantee a restoration time at this point. More than half of affected households particularly those in Moncton and the Acadian Peninsula are still in the dark. NB Power is urging customers to remain patient.
With widespread power outages, warming centres have been opened across the province and will keep their doors open as long as people are still without electricity.
Authorities are warning people to be aware of falling ice and reminding residents of affected areas to avoid standing under telephone wires or trees. NB Power is also warning people to stay away from downed hydro lines.
It’s nice to be able to skate on streets, but please guys, give them their power back!
